Unfiltered Conversation with Miko Santos Podcast

About Unfiltered Conversation with Miko Santos Podcast

Raw conversation with Filipino abroad and their secret to success guerrillapod.substack.com (https://guerrillapod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Miko Santos

Category

society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Oct 2020

Latest episode

29 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

1 of 131 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   29 Mar 2025

   From Jollibee Crew to Executive Sous Chef: Chef Princess Anne's Remarkable Journey

   In this captivating episode, Chef Princess Anne shares her inspiring journey from being a service crew at Jollibee in the Philippines to becoming an Executive Sous Chef at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, one of Australia's largest venues. She reveals how she mastered Japanese cuisine, won the Australian Barbecue Championship with Filipino-Japanese fusion techniques, and overcame significant career setbacks during the pandemic. Chef Princess provides valuable insights on balancing creativity with business management and shares her approach to creating authentic fusion cuisine without losing cultural identity. If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over twitter @realmikosantos (https://twitter.com/realmikosantos)! In this episode, we cover: * Chef Princess started as Jollibee service crew in the Philippines and worked her way up through multiple positions in Australia, from dishwasher to Executive Sous Chef * She won the Australian Barbecue Championship by innovatively cooking lechon in just two hours using Japanese techniques * Her approach to fusion cuisine focuses on maintaining authentic flavors while applying different culinary techniques * The pandemic nearly ended her career when a restaurant partnership fell through, but she rebuilt with resilience * She emphasizes the importance of proper culinary education in basics, costing, and hands-on experience Resources and links mentioned in this episode: * Connect with Chef Princess via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PrincessCheff) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/princess_anne_stories/) Detailed Synopsis Early Career and Foundation Chef Princess Anne began her culinary career as a service crew member at Jollibee in the Philippines. She credits this fast-paced environment as the foundation for her passion for the food industry. After completing her studies, she worked in various restaurants and hotels in the Philippines and was on track to become a professor, having nearly completed her master's degree, when her Australian visa was approved. Starting Over in Australia Upon arriving in Melbourne, Chef Princess had to start from scratch, beginning as a dishwasher and kitchen hand. She eventually found her way to a Japanese restaurant where her career trajectory changed significantly. She progressed from commis chef to Chef de Partie (CDP), cultivating skills in Japanese cuisine that would become her specialty. The Nobu Experience Her career reached new heights when she joined Nobu, the renowned Japanese restaurant at Crown Melbourne. There, she continued to climb the ladder from cook to CDP, sous chef, and eventually head chef. At Nobu, she refined her understanding of flavor profiles and learned to create menus on demand for elite clientele. Japanese Cuisine Specialization Chef Princess fell in love with Japanese cuisine because of its simplicity in presentation but complexity in technique. She appreciates how Japanese cooking emphasizes clean, sophisticated flavors while requiring precise skills, particularly in techniques like sashimi cutting. Barbecue Championship Success In a surprising turn, Chef Princess represented Australia in the Australian Barbecue Championship, where she showcased her Filipino-Japanese fusion approach. Instead of traditional Australian barbecue items like steak or lamb, she prepared lechon (Filipino roasted pig) using Japanese techniques. Her innovation included: * Butterfly-positioning the pork instead of traditional circular presentation * Removing large bones for faster cooking * Using precise charcoal heat management techniques * Incorporating Japanese sauces with Filipino flavors * Serving garlic rice wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on charcoal This unique approach impressed the judges and competitors alike, especially when she managed to cook a whole lechon in just two hours. Flavor Development Process When creating new dishes, Chef Princess follows a methodical approach: * Identifying the primary protein or main ingredient * Determining complementary flavors (garlic, soy sauce, lemon, and vinegar for chicken; apple and radish for pork) * Applying technical skills from her Japanese training * Ensuring authentic flavor profiles aren't compromised in fusion dishes Balancing Creativity and Management As Executive Sous Chef at Marvel Stadium, Chef Princess faces the challenge of balancing creative culinary aspirations with business constraints. She manages this by: * Sourcing quality ingredients within budget constraints * Working with suppliers to reduce labor costs * Thinking quickly and critically when unexpected situations arise * Reserving her most creative expressions for VIP boxes and special events * Mentoring other women in the food business Pandemic Setback and Resilience Chef Princess candidly shared her most challenging career moment – giving up her position at Nobu to pursue an opportunity with an investor to open her own restaurant. After a year of pop-up events, the partnership unfortunately dissolved, resulting in significant financial and emotional strain. She credits her family's support for helping her through this difficult period, and views her current position at Marvel Stadium as a "blessing in disguise" that has allowed her to pursue many of her culinary ambitions. Future Aspirations Looking ahead, Chef Princess still dreams of owning her own restaurant but is also focused on advancing to higher executive positions, such as Operations Manager or Executive Chef, within the next 2-3 years. She also expressed her desire to start a family, showing her commitment to building both professional and personal fulfillment. Educational Philosophy Drawing from her experience teaching at Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) in Melbourne, Chef Princess believes culinary education should emphasize: * Strong foundational skills and techniques, not just theory * Proper costing and business management skills * Hands-on experience and practical application She notes a difference between Filipino students who learn out of necessity and passion versus some Australian students who might be motivated by visa requirements. Fusion Philosophy Chef Princess takes a thoughtful approach to fusion cuisine, warning against "confusion" when combining culinary traditions. Her successful approach involves: * Maintaining authentic taste profiles from one cuisine * Applying techniques from another cuisine * Ensuring flavor integrity (e.g., not substituting barbecue sauce for soy sauce and calling it adobo) * Presenting familiar flavors in new, aesthetically pleasing ways Thanks for reading Style of Life (Para sa Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Music: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/moonshineLicense code: O6B7BV39QDARYJJZ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/peter-lainson/over-the-seaLicense code: UQ3B9QG1J47D7TOR Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happinessLicense code: HS0YLR4EYUGBWG9N This podcast is powered by Kangaroofern (https://kangaroofern.com/), Australia's Independent Podcast Management Company. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when a new episode is posted in the Apple podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or via RSS. If you think others could benefit from listening, please share it on your social media. You can also subscribe to the podcast app on your mobile device. If you found value in this episode, leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts and expose our show to more awesome listeners like you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit Para sa Filipino (http://www.parasafilipino.com) Thanks for reading Style of Life (Positively Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Para sa Filipino at www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe (https://www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   21 Mar 2025

   From IT Professional to TikTok Sensation: Tito Icon's Australian Migration Story

   In this heartfelt conversation, Miko Santos interviews Tito Icon, a Filipino migrant who has built a significant social media following by sharing his experiences in Australia. Icon discusses his journey from the Philippines to Australia, the cultural adjustments he faced, and how he uses social media to help other Filipinos considering migration. With nearly 100,000 followers on TikTok, Icon provides real-talk advice on If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over twitter @realmikosantos (https://twitter.com/realmikosantos)! In this episode, we cover: * Icon initially visited Australia as a tourist in 2015 and was impressed by the transport system and quality of life, which eventually motivated his migration * Rather than taking the student visa route, Icon was sponsored through the skilled migration program—a pathway he now educates others about * Icon balances his Filipino identity with Australian culture by adopting beneficial aspects of both cultures * Social media serves as a "double-edged sword" for migrants—connecting them to home while sometimes causing stress about events in the Philippines * Icon's core message across all platforms is about hope: "There's always light at the end of the tunnel" Resources and links mentioned in this episode: * Connect with Tito Icon via Instagram (https://instagram.com/iconjen), (https://facebook.com/iconjen)Facebook (https://facebook.com/iconjen), and Tiktok (http://tiktok.com/@icon.jen) * You can also check The Pinoy Expat Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ThePinoyExpat.Official) * FiloExpat website (http://www.filoexpat.com) Detailed Synopsis The Migration Journey Tito Icon's Australian story began in 2015 when he visited as a tourist to see his brother. During this three-week trip to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, he fell in love with Australia's efficient transport system and high quality of life. Despite having a comfortable job in the Philippines, Icon was persuaded by family members to explore opportunities abroad. After breaking down the potential financial benefits with his godfather, Icon spent a year preparing and eventually secured employer sponsorship. Unlike many Filipinos who choose the student visa route, Icon was directly sponsored through his IT skills, which became a key topic in his later content creation. Cultural Adaptation Icon shares that his transition wasn't particularly shocking since he had visited Australia previously. He adjusted to cultural differences like early closing times for shops and the walking-oriented lifestyle. What stands out in his approach to cultural integration is his philosophy: "If I discover something in Filipino culture that isn't beneficial, I'll leave it. If I find something in Australian culture that is beneficial, I'll adopt it." He emphasizes that he's never felt out of place in Australia because it's "a nation of immigrants" where people from various backgrounds coexist. To Icon, the only real differences between people are "where we grew up, the shape of our noses, and our colors"—at the core, we're all human beings deserving of equal respect. Social Media Impact Icon's TikTok journey began with a desire to document Filipino expat lives in Australia. When he started sharing information about skilled migration as an alternative to student visas, his following grew significantly. He now has approximately 100,000 followers who appreciate his straightforward "real talk" approach. He views social media as a "double-edged sword" for migrants—it helps them stay connected to the Philippines while sometimes causing stress when following troubling events back home. His advice to aspiring content creators is simple: share your story regardless of how many views or comments you receive, as you never know who you might inspire. Future Plans and Message of Hope Icon continues to develop his YouTube channel "The Pinoy Expat," where he interviews Filipinos with diverse migration stories. His ultimate goal is to inspire and educate people about life in Australia and migration pathways. If there's one message Icon wants viewers to take away from his content, it's hope. Quoting his father, he says, "Only the dead have no hope." Through sharing success stories of Filipinos who overcame challenges to build lives in Australia, Icon aims to show that there's always "light at the end of the tunnel." What Readers Will Learn * Alternative pathways to migrate to Australia beyond the student visa route * How to balance Filipino identity while adapting to Australian culture * Practical insights about daily life adjustments when moving to Australia * The impact of social media on connecting migrants to their homeland * How sharing personal migration stories can inspire and help others * Strategies for handling criticism and negative comments on social media * The importance of maintaining hope during challenging migration journeys Thanks for reading Style of Life (Para sa Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Music: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/moonshineLicense code: O6B7BV39QDARYJJZ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/peter-lainson/over-the-seaLicense code: UQ3B9QG1J47D7TOR Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happinessLicense code: HS0YLR4EYUGBWG9N This podcast is powered by Kangaroofern (https://kangaroofern.com/), Australia's Independent Podcast Management Company. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when a new episode is posted in the Apple podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or via RSS. If you think others could benefit from listening, please share it on your social media. You can also subscribe to the podcast app on your mobile device. If you found value in this episode, leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts and expose our show to more awesome listeners like you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit Para sa Filipino (http://www.parasafilipino.com) Thanks for reading Style of Life (Positively Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Para sa Filipino at www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe (https://www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   14 Mar 2025

   Military Discipline to Kitchen Brigade: How a Philippine Air Force Veteran Found Success in Australian Culinary Arts

   This episode features Yassy Honorio, whose remarkable career trajectory has taken her from enlisted personnel in the Philippine Air Force to becoming a professional chef in Australia. Yassi shares how her educational background in International Hospitality Management laid the foundation for her current culinary career, despite a five-year detour in military service. The conversation reveals how military training instilled valuable discipline that transfers effectively to the hierarchical structure of professional kitchens. Yassy also discusses her content creation platform "Chasing Life with Yassy," where she documents her international student experience to inspire others navigating similar paths. Her story exemplifies career adaptability, cross-continental transition, and finding professional fulfillment by returning to one's original passion. If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over twitter @realmikosantos (https://twitter.com/realmikosantos)! In this episode, we cover: * Yassy's educational foundation in International Hospitality Management provided the groundwork for her eventual return to the culinary industry after military service. * Military training during COVID-19 (which included extended lockdown within a military camp) developed emotional regulation skills that proved invaluable in high-pressure kitchen environments. * The military principle of "comply before complain" translates effectively to professional kitchen hierarchies, demonstrating transferable skills between seemingly disparate careers. * Yassy is completing formal culinary education in Australia (Commercial Cookery) and achieved chef status in September 2023, with graduation expected in April 2025. * Her content creation focuses on authentic representation of international student experiences, particularly the challenges and administrative requirements faced by Filipinos pursuing careers in Australia. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: * Connect with Yassy via Youtube (https://youtube.com/@chasinglifewithyassy?si=GgM3LmBSJJLqqJGI) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/1BSFH9nLgg/?mibextid=wwXIfr) * You can also email Yassy here (mailto:honoriojmag@gmail.com) Detailed Synopsis The episode begins with host Kangaroofern introducing Yassy Honorio and her unique career transition. Yassy immediately clarifies that her journey began with a bachelor's degree in International Hospitality Management, specializing in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. After graduation, she worked briefly in hospitality before joining the Office of the President's food and beverage committee during the 2017 ASEAN Summit. A pivotal moment occurred when a colleague suggested Yassy had potential for military service, which prompted her to explore this unexpected career path. Despite having no prior knowledge of military culture, she enlisted in the Philippine Air Force. Although her original goal was to become an officer, she found herself serving as enlisted personnel for five years. During this time, she attempted to transition to officer status through examinations and even began pursuing a master's degree in Public Management at the University of the Philippines Open University. Yassi candidly shares that despite these efforts, she never felt fulfilled in military office work, which included serving as secretary to the National Defense Secretary. This realization led her to research international opportunities that would allow her to return to her hospitality roots. After extensive research comparing Canada and Australia, she chose Australia for its favorable conditions for international students in the culinary field. She enrolled in Commercial Cookery studies and is now approaching graduation in April 2025, having already secured professional chef employment since September 2023. A significant portion of the conversation explores how military discipline influences Yassy's approach to culinary work. She recounts a recent discussion with her boss about her exceptional emotional regulation in high-pressure kitchen situations. The rigid training she underwent during COVID-19 (which extended from the typical four months to nine months due to lockdown restrictions) taught her to function effectively under stress and respect hierarchical structures—skills that transfer directly to professional kitchen environments where the brigade system operates similarly to military command chains. The conversation shifts to Yassi's content creation platform, "Chasing Life with Yassy," where she documents her international student experience. She explains that her motivation stems from wanting to provide authentic guidance to both current international students and those aspiring to study abroad. While initially hesitant to share her private life, she found purpose in creating content after emotionally connecting with her own story during script writing and receiving calls from friends seeking advice about similar journeys. Yassy emphasizes the substantial financial and administrative requirements facing Filipino students pursuing Australian education and eventual permanent residency, including IELTS exams, the Job Ready Program, and skill assessments. She sees her content as a way to validate the struggles of international students while providing practical guidance through these complex processes. The episode concludes with Yassy sharing a pivotal moment in her professional development when her boss began training her to lead a kitchen section independently. Despite initial fear about handling high volumes during busy reservation periods, she reminds herself of her military background as a source of strength. Her learning philosophy—preferring to be shown once, then implementing independently and learning from corrections—reflects the self-discipline instilled during her military service. What Readers Will Learn * How military training can provide transferable skills for high-pressure culinary environments * The practical challenges facing international students pursuing culinary careers in Australia * The importance of emotional regulation and hierarchical respect in professional kitchens * The process of career reinvention across different countries and industries * How content creation can serve both as documentation of personal journey and as guidance for others * The financial and administrative requirements for international students seeking permanent residency in Australia * The educational pathways available for culinary careers in Australia * How to leverage seemingly unrelated past experiences in new professional contexts * The psychological journey of career transition and finding fulfillment Thanks for reading Style of Life (Para sa Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Music: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/moonshineLicense code: O6B7BV39QDARYJJZ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/peter-lainson/over-the-seaLicense code: UQ3B9QG1J47D7TOR Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happinessLicense code: HS0YLR4EYUGBWG9N This podcast is powered by Kangaroofern (https://kangaroofern.com/), Australia's Independent Podcast Management Company. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when a new episode is posted in the Apple podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or via RSS. If you think others could benefit from listening, please share it on your social media. You can also subscribe to the podcast app on your mobile device. If you found value in this episode, leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts and expose our show to more awesome listeners like you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit Para sa Filipino (http://www.parasafilipino.com) Thanks for reading Style of Life (Positively Filipino)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Para sa Filipino at www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe (https://www.parasafilipino.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Inside a recent episode

15 : Ari Galper | Trust based Selling

Published 27 Jan 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And the nice thing about this, if you adopt this approach, it becomes your differentiation, your category one, because if you start selling the way everyone else sells. What happens is you'll get commoditized, especially as an entrepreneur, sorry, and your company. The last thing you want to do is be pigeonholed as a sales person. You want to have a unique approach as special, just like your offer is. So this trust based approach, the way we teach it is unique in itself, because not many people are doing it because they're still conditioned to sell the old way. So a lot of people now is trying to build their own branding through online due to the pandemic. […]

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

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